Books, Reading

Special Feature: The Chemistry of Love by Sariah Wilson

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Special Feature: The Chemistry of Love by Sariah Wilson

This hot new romance was selected as an Amazon First Reads book for January which means Prime members were able to read this one early since it’s not out until February 1st. A TON of people took advantage of it and also shared their reviews online, which put this book #1 on the charts for contempo romances! I cannot WAIT to read this one, I am taking it with me when I go on vacation to Ohio in a couple of weeks. I love love and this book has a Valentines Day read written all over it! So if you are looking for something romantic to read for Valentines Day, this book needs to be at the top of your list!

So what caught my eye about this one? I loved the promise of a workplace romance that had a little bit of a fake dating angle. I also loved the premise of it being set at a makeup/cosmetic company with the main character being a bit of a nerd. I thought it sounded like an intriguing combo and was super excited to check it out. The author, Sariah Wilson, is a new to me author but I do know that Wilson has written several other well received romances.

Many readers call Wilson’s books ‘binge-able’ and I think this would be one that I could read quickly and in one sitting. Not to mention fell happy and content when it’s over. I love romances because they always end with a happily ever after and this book promises just that. I cannot wait to read it and see hot Anna and Marco come together and how the fake dating plot line goes. If you are a fan of contempo romances this is a hot new release that you should definitely get behind!

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Books, Reading

Review: The Devil You Know (Detective Margaret Nolan #3) by P. J. Tracy

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: The Devil You Know (Detective Margaret Nolan #3) by P. J. Tracy

A couple of years ago, I picked up one of P. J. Nolan’s books that was part of the Monkeewrench series which I thought was pretty good. I liked Nolan’s writing style and thought the series was fast paced with a to to enjoy. I hadn’t read any of the other books in the series before and I felt mostly orientated in the series and that it could have been read as a standalone novel without issue. P. J. Nolan is a pseudonym for a mother-daughter writing duo and while sometimes it can be hard with two writers, writing one book, I think in this case it was seamless.

Nolan has been an established author with a large fan base, especially surrounding the Monkeewrench series which is ten books in. I love that they have branched out into a new series featuring Margaret Nolan. While this book is part of a series, I think that Nolan does a great job orientating readers within the story and from the early reviews, most feel that this can also be read as a standalone.

For me the thing that grabbed me about this one was the mix of grit (murder) and glamour (Los Angeles). For me I get a very noir feeling from this book summary. LA has long been associated with glitz and glamour, and this book features the murder of a celebrity. When that world of glitz and glamour comes together to meet with a disturbing homicide, I think it gives the reader a sense of unease which is ripe for a thriller. I love when I am caught off guard and hooked on a story that has this contrasting image of glamour and murder. I think a lot of readers and fans of thrillers/mysteries will find a lot to enjoy in this one, especially under the pen of two talented and proven authors!

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Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: The House in the Pines by Ana Reyes

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: The House in the Pines by Ana Reyes

When I was first pitched this book, one thing stood out that made me not pass on it—-Guatemala. My husband is Guatemalan and there really aren’t books out there that feature his culture. Trust me I am always on the look out too! So when I saw that this book would have a Central American theme in it, I was totally on board to not only feature it but also review it!

I have been really loving thrillers and mysteries lately, and I have a special place in my heart for psychological thrillers with unreliable narrators. I featured this one back in early January and couldn’t wait to start reading it. In fact I rearranged some of my review calendar for this book so that should tell you how excited I was for this one. I wasn’t sure how much the Guatemalan angle would play in the story but just seeing it in the summary was enough to make me jump for this one!

This book was also selected as Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club pick for January so clearly it must be worth reading! Reese’s Book Club usually has some great reads. I know I have found quite a few thrillers thanks to her book club that I wouldn’t normally pick up to read. Since this book made her book club, a lot of readers have been hailing it as the thriller to set the tone for the new year. Obviously a lot of hype around this book though for me it was less about the hype and more about what the book promised to deliver—-and did it?

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Books, Reading

Special Feature: River Sing Me Home by Eleanor Shearer

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Special Feature: River Sing Me Home by Eleanor Shearer

In honor of Black History Month beginning today, I wanted to share an up and coming novel from a debut author that promises to be moving, emotional, unique, and beautiful. Author Eleanor Shearer is a mixed race author with roots in the Caribbean. She has been drawn to Caribbean history and her love of Caribbean history is evident in this hot new release!

Many Black history books focus on the slavery happening in the South, but this book promises to look at a new region and a new approach too the topic by beginning at the end. In this book the Emancipation Act of 1834 has been signed and implanted, but a mother is still searching for her stolen children. I love the sound of this story. Not only are we beginning at the end, we are also traveling throughout the Caribbean with this mother searching for answers. That was the big thing that drew me to this book—-the new approach to history and a history that isn’t always looked at. As I said a lot of books focus on slavery in the south but looking at how slavery impacted other regions like the Caribbean as well as how things changed (or didn’t) once the Emancipation Act as signed.

There are so many stunning books out there that feature Black history and with Black History month here, I know there will be lists full of choice reading and I sure hope this book is on your TBR list. It sounds so wonderful and unique and I think readers will get a lot out of it so if you haven’t done so already be sure to get this one on your TBR list. It’s on mine and I cannot wait to start reading it!

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Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: Love in the Time of Serial Killers by Alicia Thompson (Audible Edition)

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: Love in the Time of Serial Killers by Alicia Thompson (Audible Edition)

When I saw this book, I absolutely knew I needed to read it! I thought the title was catchy and I couldn’t pass on it. I even downloaded a copy for Audible as well as ordering a hard copy. I was hat sure I would be devouring this book in a matter of days. In today’s modern world, so many women are fascinated by murder mysteries. I know for a fact that in my office of 10 women, 8 listen to murder podcasts while working or working out/cardio. Myself included! I love a good murder mystery.

It really is the ‘time of serial killers’ and I thought that having a romance where the main character is sure her neighbor is a serial killer, really hooked me, I mean when I was pregnant and a new mom, I was up in the middle of the night feeding my baby and our neighbor was constantly coming and going in the middle of the night (he is a teacher so I knew it wasn’t his job that took him away from home). I was convinced he was up to something nefarious. So this book sounded so appealing to me!

When this one came out, I was knee deep in all my Laura Griffin books so reading something light and romantic featuring serial killers sounded right up my alley. The book makes a note that there isn’t actually murder in the books so readers know they are getting an actual romance instead of a murder but I think that should have been implied by the summary, but I was thankful for the reminder as a reader anyway.

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